Vietnam Medal of Honor Interview | COL (Ret) Robert Howard | Courage Under Fire |

U.S. Army Colonel Robert "Bob" Howard 1939-2009, recipient of the Medal of Honor, reflects on key moments in his 36-year military career.
Howard enlisted in the Army in 1956, at only 17 years old. His service included time with the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions; 2nd Ranger Battalion; 3rd, 5th, and 6th Special Forces Group; 5th Infantry Division; 7th Corps and XVIII Airborne Corps. He also served in the Eighth United States Army and Combined Forces Command.
Howard served five tours in Vietnam -- and claimsed a total of 58 months in combat.
While a noncommissioned officer, Howard served as a demolitions sergeant. And with Special Forces, he served the majority of his time with Military Assistance Command, Vietnam - Studies and Observations Group.
In December 1969, then-Master Sgt. Robert L. Howard was commissioned to first lieutenant.
While serving in Vietnam, Howard was wounded 14 times. Between 1968 and 1969, he was put in for three Medals of Honor. He was awarded one of those in 1971, by President Richard M. Nixon.
It was for his actions while serving as a platoon sergeant in Vietnam that Howard was nominated for and ultimately received the Medal of Honor. On Dec. 30, 1968, Howard's unit was on a mission to rescue an American Soldier who was missing in enemy territory. After his platoon left their helicopter landing zone, they were attacked by enemy combatants. Howard himself was wounded and his weapon was destroyed. Howard saw his platoon leader, a first lieutenant, was also wounded and exposed to enemy fire. "Although unable to walk, and weaponless, ... Howard unhesitatingly crawled through a hail of fire to retrieve his wounded leader," reads the Medal of Honor citation.
While administering first aid to his platoon leader, an enemy bullet struck one of the lieutenant's ammunition pouches, detonating several magazines of ammunition.
"Howard momentarily sought cover and then realizing that he must rejoin the platoon, which had been disorganized by the enemy attack, he again began dragging the seriously wounded officer toward the platoon area," the citation continues.
Howard was able to rally his platoon and get them reorganized, the citation said. At risk to himself, Howard crawled from position to position and administered first aid to those who needed it. He also led his platoon in staving off enemy attacks for three and a half hours until it was possible to permit the landing of rescue helicopters.
During his time in service, Howard earned the Distinguished Service Cross, a Silver Star, four Bronze Stars for Valor, eight Purple Hearts, the Defense Superior Service Medal, four Legion's of Merit and a Bronze Star for Meritorious Achievement.
Following 36 years on active duty, Howard retired from military service, though he continued to serve Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines by working with the Department of Veterans Affairs for more than a dozen years.
Howard died Dec. 23, in Waco, Texas, of pancreatic cancer. He was 70. He is survived by four children: Melissa Gentsch, Denicia Howard, Roslyn Howard and Sgt. Robert L. Howard Jr. Howard also has four grandchildren.

[@douggauzy6258]

I don’t feel deserving of making any comments . I heard the stories about this man . I can’t put into words . “ He is “ Tough . That’s mentally equally as physical

[@craigking8758]

Great man he's the sort you Americans need as a president. Love from Scotland

[@drainjunkies]

The stuff this man did that most or all don’t know about is insane.

[@brandonashbrook4783]

In the thumbnail photo on the left my grandfather is standing there behind Bob Howard (Boonie cap) and Eldon Bargewell. He was a Recon Marine. To this day I have no idea what he went through, but I know he left Vietnam with 2 Purple Hearts, An Air Medal with a V Device, and a Silver Star. One day I hope to learn more about him. Finding this video is shedding light on who he was and what he was doing in Vietnam.

[@TheWonderingWarrior2023]

We will see what we can find out about his service and post a video on it if we can.

[@craigking8758]

Honest and true ❤

[@roberthubbard5008]

Bravest man in Vietnam and they didn't even advertise the ceremony in the news. Nobody even knew about it. Politicians suck

[@truthseeker2321]

I have an idea that you weren't alive back then. The Vietnam War wasn't a popular war, and most people didn't even care about what was happening unless they had a brother, son, husband, etc, serving there. I was about 9 years old when he was awarded the MOH, and I remember seeing the nightly news with scenes from the Vietnam War, and they were very short. I tend to think that his award ceremony with the president was televised, but like everything else about the war, it would have been a mere few minutes. That's why it took damn near 25 years after the war for our country to acknowledge the sacrifice these men paid for absolutely nothing.

[@roberthubbard5008]

@@truthseeker2321 Yes I was alive then and had relatives that went

[@bradthackston5217]

Dude trained Randy that’s crazy

[@Robert-lr8ve]

These men were never given credit or honor they deserved and i mean all who served in Vietnam

[@truthseeker2321]

Our government doesn't care. We are just pawns in the game of greedy politicians clawing their way to the top of the food chain. Notice the number of homeless veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan? I think they are going through worse conditions than Vietnam veterans faced after coming home. If I had known in 1981 what I know now, I would have never given 8 years of my life to the U.S. Army, and I was never even in a war zone.

[@craigking8758]

Sadly gone i know but you know what I mean ❤

[@asafox5966]

🦍

[@xFTJxVENOMx]

0:58

[@nicholascushing9193]

I want to know about the female Marine .. she has a C.A.R?